"This print is part of the next series I'm starting after the Acid Forest. I’m just kind of diving a little bit more in depth into the forest and the creatures that live in there. I wanted to do a non-traditional print, just use the actual bold black lines as the main image, but I wanted to personalize each one." - Malt aka Brown Bag Detroit

This RUN comes signed, numbered and with a Certificate of Authenticity from MALT and 1xRUN

Discuss This Run

Detroit Graffiti Writer MALT Splits The Atom

Malt aka Brown Bag Detroit is a self taught artist, living and working in the Detroit area. In recent years Malt’s work has focused on what he calls “The Acid Forest.” Blending graffiti techniques and his signature acrylic style, “The Acid Forest” is Malt’s abstract spin on traditional landscapes and the characters that inhabit the psychedelic backdrop. The juxtaposition of trees, human life, death, growth, strength and weakness is what keeps things fresh and constantly changing in Malt’s work. Back for his second RUN, MALT has again brought us a variety of colorways and editions, each individually hand-painted and screened by Malt himself. Read on for the 1xRUN Thru Interview with Malt where he discusses past influences and more.

1xRUN Thru Interview

Splitting Atoms by Malt

1xRUN: What materials was this RUN printed on or drawn with?

Malt: Once the original drawing was inked and the screen was burnt I squeegeed white ink on the white paper to have a faint outline of the image to use as my guideline. From there it was just adding acrylic and spray paint where I thought was necessary. Then run the screen over one more time with black, add a few more tweaks and done.

1xRun: Is the original still for sale?

Malt: Yes it is available here on 1xRUN.

1xRun: When was the piece drawn/created?

Malt: April 2012

1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?

Malt: It started as a rough idea for a new painting I wanted to do. At the same time talking with 1xrun about doing a new print. After going through a bunch of different sketches i thought this image would work best as a print.

1xRun: How long did the piece take?

Malt: 4 days from the initial idea to sketching to the finished product.

1xRun: What is unique about this piece?

Malt: The majority of these prints are all hand painted, all except the final screen.

1xRun: Why should people buy this piece/print?

Malt: Why not?

1xRun: Describe the piece/print in one gut reaction word.

Malt: Beamin’

Malt - Splitting Atoms

1xRun: When did you first start making art?

Malt: Early on like most kids, but didn’t taking it seriously until the early/mid 90’s.

1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?

Malt: Most definitely, as for what it depends on the mood I’m in. A few are Bonobo, Led Zepplin, Seaweed, Dj Shadow (minus the tunes with dudes rapping over his beats) Superdrag & Surfer Blood.

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?

Malt:How Nosm…I really dig the work they are doing these days and I think I could learn a lot in the process.

How Nosm in Brooklyn

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?

Malt: That’s a tough question.

1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?

Malt: It was a trade but not sure the exact piece. Pretty sure I still have it.

1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?

Malt: I actually haven’t bought any pieces yet, all the art I own were trades, but I do have my eye on a few Bob Ross originals on Ebay.

You see what we did there...

1xRun: What else do you have in the works?

Malt: At the end of May i’m heading to El Paso, Texas to paint a mural during the Neon Desert Festival. A few weeks after that, it’s off to Tennessee with Tead to paint a couple big walls for Ford during Bonnaroo. Along with that I’ve got a couple art shows and hopefully will be painting a few murals here in Detroit. It’s gonna be a busy summer.

About the Artist

Location:Detroit, Michigan

Malt is a self taught artist, living and working in Metro Detroit. Blending graffiti and aerosol techniques with his signature acrylic style, the latest work from Malt takes an abstract spin on traditional landscapes and the characters that inhabit the psychedelic backdrops. The juxtaposition of forest birds, trees, life/death, growth/decay, strength/weakness is what keeps things fresh and habitually interesting in Malt's work.

With his recent studio work Malt strives to bridge the gap from his engaging public murals to concise studio explorations, sometimes breaking his signature owls down to their most abstract.

"With each process I always work from a basic concept or idea but I truly enjoy the path of the unknown, working without restrictions. I start with the idea and or a basic sketch, then I lay down a background. From there I go on the venture the brush or the can of spray takes me." - Malt.